History of Aburi town and area

Welcome  to ABURI, Ghana !

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Aburi - History

The Adonten division of the Akuapem Traditional Area has a unique history of development. 

According to recorded history, by 1730, the present towns forming the core of the Adonten Division, namely; Brekuso, Ahwerase and Atweasin were settled. 
The people of Aburi, who are the Agona Clan and the seat of Adontenhene are said to have migrated from Nkunkren to Amanfo, the present site accomodating the Aburi Botanic Gardens and the Presbyterian Women's Training College.
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The people of Brekuso are known to have migrated from Nyanawase near Nsawam, through Pokuase to the present town while the people of Ahwerase are said to have come from Adanse Akrokyere to their first settlement, ("Anpong-ammoa" - Ampong did not lie) and later, the present Ahwerase town.

The Atweasin people migrated from Kokofu in Ashati Ntoasosin and then to the present town. Atweasin, Ahwerase and Brekuso constitute the three pillars (Amantowniensa) of Adonten, owing allegiance to Akropong, the seat of the paramount chief of Akuapen.

This followed the creation of the Akuapem State by the first Omanhene Nana Safori in October, 1733 at Asanteman (present Obosomase) after the historic war of independence from Akwamu rule in 1730.
The favorable climatic conditions of the Akuapem mountains, together with the travel accounts for the affectionate nature of the people attracted both the European merchants and missionaries to the area. Nana Osae Ntifo met Paul Isert, the Danish explorer who visited Akuapem in 1786 at Aburi. The chiefs encouraged the missionaries to settle, offered them land and traditional guidelines in their endeavors.
The Basel missionary, Andreas Riis, was the first to settle in 1848 and soon after, a second mission was set up in Aburi with the opening of a mission church in 1856. The construction of the Aburi-Accra road in 1877 brought about accelerated development, among them the opening in 1889 of the first agricultural research station in Ghana.
The choice of Aburi by the British colonial government in 1890 (like President Nkrumah's sprawling lodge at nearby Peduase in 1960) waws to be followed by the laying of telegraph lines from Accra in 1892 and the establishment of the second post office in the then Gold Coast at Aburi.

1928 saw the opening of the Aburi-Nsawam motor road through the hardwork of the people. It was in this year that converted the Aburi Agricultural Station into a botanical garden and opened it to the public for recreational purposes - an event that has made Aburi one of the best-known holiday towns in Ghana, and a popular attraction to every visitor to the country.

RULING HOUSES

In 1959, the Adonten Divisional Council met under the presidency of Nana Osae Djan II and decided that there would be three ruling houses to reign as Adontenhene of Akuapem on rotation. 

These are the Awo Agyaa's House of Agyamanti, Amene House of Fotobi and Aku Badu House of Nsakye.

The reigning Aburihene and Adontehen of Akuapem from the Aku Badu house of Nsakye was nominated and enstooled Adontehene under the stool name of Nana Djan Kwas II on February, 1988.
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How to get to Aburi

By public transport - Mini-Bus or TroTro can be boarded at Tema Station in Accra central or at Odawna station near Kwame Nkrumah Circle or at Madina. There is also a METRO-Mass Bus from Accra, via Aburi. (Best choice)
Aburi is about 30 Km away from Accra, and can be reached via a modern dual-carry way.
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